These has been awhile in the works and for a bit it looked like things were going slowly (which they were). However, all the nominations have been picked by the respectable panel of judges for the online community to vote on at www.fwooshnet.com in the next few days. However, before that, I wanted to at least reveal the names of the nominees. You'll see pictures soon (and most of you will recognize some familar names) but in the meantime, enjoy, have a good weekend and congrats to all the nominees!

Sincerely,

Tommy (out for the weekend)

THE NOMINEES ARE:

Best SculptBlank ActionFigure by Joe Amaro DarkClaw by Beachboy19 Old Bruce Wayne by Liquidisk The Executioner by Iron-CowThe Frogurt Guy aka The Shopkeeper by Baby Gerald

Best ArticulationArchangel by Liquidisk DarkClaw by Beachboy19 Serpentor VS General Hawk by Butterflyknife17 and Balisong Super-Articulated MangaSpawn by PairadocsX2 Lady Deathstryke by Liquidisk

Best Paint ApplicationCardiac by The BruceCookie Monster with Gordon's Volkswagen (based on Follow that Bird) by Doozer Dr. Zaius by TCM HitchhikerGhost Predator by Moviemaniacks Outkast MiniMates by Iron-CowRiddler by GRNLNTRN715

Best RepaintCatman by GRNLNTRN715 Ghost Predator by Moviemaniacks Joker by Matt McNabb Mandarin Spawn by Guyver Weapon X by Sam

Best Accessory/AccessoriesBatTank by Distant Thunder Cookie Monster with Gordon's Volkswagen (based on Follow that Bird) by Doozer Fisto's Sword by Sword Team SpiderMan's Accessories by Carl Wonder Woman's Accessories by Oulala

Best Diorama/PlaysetBack Alley by Distant Thunder Batcave by Distant ThunderCookie Monster with Gordon's Volkswagen (based on Follow that Bird) by DoozerMarvel Legends Maximum Carnage Set by BenjomonWatchTower by Mike D

Best Large FigureBi-Beast by Ken of Mattmans Firefly by TMC Hitchhiker Orka by Ken of MattmansPrimeval Buffy by Ms. BigPileOfDust,Scarlett by TMC HitchhikerTorch by TMC Hitchhiker

Best Overall Figure/Custom of the YearAlex Ross Batman by Iron-CowArchangel by LiquidiskCookie Monster with Gordon's Volkswagen (based on Follow that Bird) by Doozer Dr. Zaius by TCM Hitchhiker Sinestro by Mike D X-Men Evolution Apocalypse by Airmax

Only two days left to vote in polls for Custom of the Year Awards 2004!

Judges have selected their nominations and the public now votes.

www.customoftheyear.com (May 17, 005). With less than two days to go, the voting for Custom of the Year 2004 is well on its way. With over 2000 votes in the nearly 30 categories, many of the nominations are in a dead heat to determine a winner.

Well now it’s the public’s turn to help determine those winners, choosing the best of the best with some familiar faces and exciting new names to the field. Www.fwooshnet.com is hosting the polls via their on-line message boards and will be open until Wednesday, May 18th at midnight, EST. To place your vote, simply visit http://www.fwooshnet.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=85. You must register on the site to vote in a process that takes less than 5 minutes! Feel free to share your comments, favorites and critiques on this very interactive site.

“I’m just excited that we had wonderful panel of judges to choose the nominees” said Custom of the Year founder Tommy Sanchez, “and that now the public is able to chose their favorites for this annual event.” Among the judges were Palisades Toys President and CEO Mike Horn, Plan-B Toys Co-President Chris Borman and Four Horsemen Studios sculptor Eric “Cornboy” Mayse.

“I definitely feel honored to be among the nominees,” said Norm Dapito who is nominated in several categories. Encouraging others to join next year he continued “I believe that had there been more entries from other notable artists, I probably never would have seen the nomination.”

Custom of the Year recognizes its first winners, Honorary Award Recipient.

Public vote gathers and cast nearly 3000 votes.

www.customoftheyear.com (May 25, 2005). With about two weeks to vote in 28 categories, the public casts nearly 3000 votes as they participated in the first annual Custom of the Year awards. With nearly 400 entries, a panel of five toy industry professionals narrowed down the list to five nominees in each category to be voted on by the public. The panel included Mike Horn, President of Palisades Toys; Chris Borman, Co-President of Plan-B Toys; Eric “Cornboy” Mayse, sculptor for Four Horsemen Designs; and on-line toy reviewers, Michael Crawford of www.mwctoys.com and Julius Marx of www.actionfigureinsider.com.

After nearly two weeks of voting, winners were chosen for such titles as Best Sculpt, Best Website, Best Packaging, Best Marvel and many more. The complete list of winners can be found at http://www.fwooshnet.com/%7Eezine/every ... sults.html. The complete lists of nominees can be found at www.customoftheyear.com. In addition to the voting, prizes were also raffled off among the nominees for actions figures, statues and mini-busts as donated by the sponsors of the awards.

The Honorary Award

Among the first traditions to be recognized among the custom of the Year awards is the Honorary Award. The Honorary Award is given out to recognize extraordinary distinction and contributions to the customizing and toy industry or for outstanding service to the toy industry. In the first year of these awards, the panel of toy industry professionals has selected, as the first recipient of this honor, Joe Amaro.

Joe Amaro, like most customizers, began his work as a kid, taking a Cantina Member and turning him into an Imperial Officer from Star Wars. However, it wasn’t until 6 years ago, that the work became more serious when he entered and won a customizing contest in Toyfare. Since that time Joe has had not only other works published in that magazine but also contributed to exhibits, websites, and conventions. Below you’ll find a short sampling of his work:

However, what makes Joe’s work stand out from the rest besides his many publications in Toyfare magazine and coverage online, is where his career is headed. Joe was recently contracted by Jazzwares to work on the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter toy lines to help design new bodies and help with overall aesthetics. These base model prototypes will be used by Hong Kong sculptors as the line continues. It is here where Joe has made the most significant contribution: as a role model of a customizer transitioning into a toy sculptor and professional. More of Joe Amaro’s work can be seen at www.joeamaro.net